Perception of Substance Use Problems in Asian American Communities by Chinese, Indian, Korean, and Vietnamese Populations

Abstract

The study was a cross-sectional survey using a convenience sample of 425 Asian American respondents to examine their perceptions of substance use problems in the Asian American community and help-seeking preferences. The authors examined respondents' perceptions of the severity of substance use problems in the Asian American community, perceived etiology of substance use problems, beliefs about treatment, perceived help-seeking preferences and helpful services. Respondents showed a relatively low prevalence of drinking and drug use: 20.9% for drinking and 3.3% for drug use. As a group, respondents did not perceive substance use as a serious problem in the community except for the Vietnamese American respondents. In addition, respondents showed a positive attitude toward treatment, although such an attitudinal change was not yet accompanied by a change in their behavioral preferences. Findings also suggested a tendency for Asian American respondents to utilize personal resources rather than professional help or formal treatment programs in response to substance use problems. There was an apparent lack of interest among respondents to use support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Implications for developing culturally relevant interventions for prevention and treatment as well as future research are discussed.

Key Words:

• Alcohol use
• drug use
• Asian American populations
• help-seeking